A 41-year-old Attica police officer has been arrested by the Police's internal affairs division after evidence suggested that he had been selling his services as a private investigator and had blackmailed a client into paying him 200 euros.

The unnamed officer allegedly hired himself out as a private investigator to a 34-year-old woman who wanted him to collect information on a third party. He demanded a fee of 300 euros, with 100 euros paid in advance.

His illegal activities allegedly came to light when the woman asked him to desist from his investigation and said that she would not pay him the additional 200 euros of the fee. According to the witness, who reported the incident to authorities, the police officer threatened to make public sensitive personal information pertaining to her if she refused to pay up.

Her report to the authorities allowed the internal affairs division to set a trap for the police officer by having the woman pay him the 200 euros in marked bills.

A search of his motorcycle also revealed a notebook containing various names and a tally of cash amounts.

The 41-year-old policeman has been suspended from duty and faces charges of running an illegal business and extortion.